R.E.M.: Fables Of The Reconstruction [25th Anniversary Edition]

R.E.M.
Fables Of The Reconstruction [25th Anniversary Edition]
I.R.S. / Capitol Records [1985; re:2010]
(2 CD Set)








Fire Drill Review:
Fables Of The Reconstruction continues the remaster/reissue of R.E.M.'s catalog and it works out that it is also the albums 25th anniversary. Fables is an interesting record in itself, as the band shook some things up by recording in England plus it has a much darker overtone compared to their first two albums. Reflecting back on the album, there are plenty of R.E.M. classics here with "Driver 8", "Can't Get Here From There", and "Maps And Legends" but it never has rivaled the first two records critical success, which probably can be attributed to its much different vibe. Today I think it sounds and plays even stronger plus it really holds up to the test of time. The second disc here is very intriguing because the first two reissues were accompanied by live concerts from their respective era but Fables second disc is a collection of demos from this album that the band recorded in Athens before they took off for England. They take on a much different life in this more stripped down run through that actually sounds more like the first two albums. It is also an education on R.E.M.'s recording process plus a surprise on how these tracks eventually turned out. Overall, the remastering sounds great, the second disc is a nice addition and the entire package gives proper life back to Fables Of Reconstruction 25 years later!

Key Track: "Throw Those Trolls Away (Demo Version)" - previously unreleased

R.E.M.: Live At The Olympia [Fire Note Review 11/30/09]
R.E.M.: Reckoning [Deluxe Edition] [Fire Note Review 6/26/09]
R.E.M.: Murmur [Deluxe Edition] [Fire Note Review 12/1/08]
R.E.M.: Accelerate [Fire Note Review 3/31/08]

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Capitol Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony